Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $73,406 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Houston, Texas area
• Total Assets: $585,066 (2024)
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation Houston, TX EIN: 30-0862921

Note: This is a private family foundation with no public website or application portal. Contact information is not publicly available.

Overview

The Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in April 2015 and based in Houston, Texas. Classified as a 501(c)(3) Private Independent Foundation, it maintains total assets of approximately $585,066 as of 2024 and distributes charitable grants of approximately $73,406 annually. The foundation is led by Jim and Lynne Vanderhider, along with directors Rachel Verret and Michael Vanderhider. All officers serve in unpaid capacities. Jim Vanderhider is a former Principal, EVP, and CFO of EnerVest, Ltd., where he served for approximately 23 years and helped transform the company into a multi-billion dollar oil and gas asset manager. The foundation derives its revenue from contributions (approximately $15,000 annually), dividends ($15,199), and asset sales ($25,479), with charitable disbursements representing 92.6% of total expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation making charitable grants. Specific grant programs, amounts, and funding cycles are not publicly disclosed. The foundation distributed $73,406 in charitable grants in 2024.

Priority Areas

While specific funding priorities are not publicly documented, the Vanderhider family has demonstrated philanthropic interests in:

• Healthcare: Jim and Lynne Vanderhider are Founding Members of Houston Methodist's Translational Research Initiative (TRI) and members of the Society for Leading Medicine at Houston Methodist, indicating support for medical research and healthcare advancement.

• Social Services: Jim Vanderhider serves as President of the Goodwill Industries Houston Foundation board, demonstrating interest in poverty alleviation and workforce development.

• Community Development: Family engagement with Houston-based charitable organizations suggests local community focus.

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation, the Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation is prohibited by IRS regulations from making grants to individuals. Beyond this standard restriction, specific exclusions are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Lynne Vanderhider - President & Director President of the Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation. Along with Jim, she serves as a Founding Member of Houston Methodist's Translational Research Initiative and is a member of the Society for Leading Medicine at Houston Methodist, reflecting the family's commitment to healthcare philanthropy.

Jim Vanderhider - Secretary/Treasurer & Director Secretary and Treasurer of the foundation. Jim currently serves as President of Aspen View GP, LLC, the general partner for his family limited partnerships. The family office invests across various asset classes with significant focus on alternatives, particularly real assets and operating companies. Previously, Jim served approximately 23 years as Principal, EVP & CFO of EnerVest, Ltd., where he helped transform a small startup into a multi-billion dollar oil and gas asset manager and led initiatives for raising over $8 billion of private equity capital. He is a Texas A&M University graduate (BBA in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude) and a Certified Public Accountant. Jim serves as President of the Goodwill Industries Houston Foundation board and has stated he is "researching ways to help the plight of the poor and homeless in Houston and beyond."

Rachel Verret - Director Serves as a director of the foundation. Limited public information is available about Rachel Verret's role and background.

Michael Vanderhider - Director Serves as a director of the foundation. Limited public information is available about Michael Vanderhider's role and background.

All officers and directors serve in unpaid capacities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation does not maintain a public website, application portal, or accept unsolicited grant proposals. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees and directors.

This is a common structure for small private family foundations, which typically make grants based on:

• Personal relationships and direct knowledge of organizations
• Board members' involvement with specific nonprofits
• Invitation-only processes
• Strategic alignment with family philanthropic interests

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the family's documented philanthropic engagement, organizations that may receive consideration appear to align with:

Healthcare and Medical Research: The Vanderhiders' involvement as Founding Members of Houston Methodist's Translational Research Initiative and membership in the Society for Leading Medicine suggests strong interest in healthcare advancement, particularly translational research that converts scientific discoveries into practical medical applications.

Social Services and Poverty Alleviation: Jim Vanderhider's leadership role as President of Goodwill Industries Houston Foundation board and his stated interest in "researching ways to help the plight of the poor and homeless in Houston and beyond" indicates commitment to organizations addressing poverty, homelessness, and workforce development.

Houston-Based Organizations: The foundation's Houston location and the family's deep ties to Houston civic and charitable organizations suggest a geographic preference for local nonprofits.

Organizations with Board Connections: Like many private family foundations, grants may flow to organizations where family members serve on boards or have direct involvement, allowing for informed grantmaking based on firsthand knowledge.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or maintain a public application portal.

• Small Foundation: With annual giving of approximately $73,400 and assets of $585,000, this is a small foundation making targeted grants.

• Houston Focus: The foundation is based in Houston, and family members are deeply engaged in Houston philanthropy, suggesting a strong local focus.

• Healthcare Interest: Founding membership in Houston Methodist's Translational Research Initiative indicates significant interest in medical research and healthcare.

• Social Services Commitment: Leadership involvement with Goodwill Industries Houston Foundation demonstrates commitment to poverty alleviation and workforce development.

• Relationship-Based Grantmaking: As with most private family foundations without public applications, grants likely flow through existing relationships and board connections.

• Not a Viable Target for Cold Applications: Organizations without existing connections to the Vanderhider family should not expect to receive funding through unsolicited requests.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation (EIN: 30-0862921). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300862921 (Accessed January 2026)

2. Cause IQ - Jim and Lynne Vanderhider Family Foundation. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jim-and-lynne-vanderhider-family-foundation,300862921/ (Accessed January 2026)

3. Houston Methodist - TRI Founding Members. Available at: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/giving/ways-to-give/translational-research-initiative/founding-members/ (Accessed January 2026)

4. Houston Methodist - Society for Leading Medicine Members List. Available at: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/giving/ways-to-give/giving-societies/the-society-for-leading-medicine/members/ (Accessed January 2026)

5. LinkedIn - Jim Vanderhider Profile. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-vanderhider-273b28bb/ (Accessed January 2026)

6. Goodwill Houston - 2018 Annual Report. Available at: https://www.goodwillhouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2018_annualreport_gwh_final_web_2.pdf (Accessed January 2026)

7. Hart Energy - "EnerVest Names Jud Walker President; CFO James Vanderhider To Retire." August 21, 2018. Available at: https://www.hartenergy.com/news/enervest-names-jud-walker-president-cfo-james-vanderhider-retire-117987/ (Accessed January 2026)